Many social and community services workers will get pay rises of between 19 and 41% as a result of Fair Work Australia’s Equal Remuneration decision of 1 February.
The pay rises are for employees in the Social and Community Services classifications and the Crisis Accommodation classifications of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (the SACS modern award).
The Equal Remuneration Order provides percentage-based increases to the full modern award rates as follows:
- Level 2 - 19%
- Level 3 - 22%
- Level 4 - 28%
- Level 5 - 33%
- Level 6 - 36%
- Level 7 - 38%
- Level 8 - 41%
These percentage increases will be implemented in 9 equal instalments over 8 years. This will begin on 1 December 2012 and end on 1 December 2020.
In addition, a further 4% loading will be payable to compensate these employees for impediments to enterprise bargaining. This loading will be cumulative, and will also be implemented in 9 instalments over 8 years. This will also begin on 1 December 2012 and end on 1 December 2020.
Transitional Provisions - Further submissions required
Parties have 21 days to file draft orders with FWA to reflect the decision. Fair Work Australia (FWA) invited the parties to consider the interaction of the SACS modern award transitional provisions in drafting those orders.
Once this information is available, the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website will be updated.